Aquaculture research program looking to recruit fish farmers

PIKETON, Ohio — The Ohio Center for Aquaculture Research and Development at the Ohio State University South Centers is looking for a few good fish farmers.

The center is offering 25 new and beginning fish farmers a hands-on approach to aquaculture and the business of fish farming through a year-long program that offers participants the opportunity to study the issue at the Piketon facility.

Free

And thanks to a grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Aquaculture Boot Camp program is offered at no cost, said Laura Tiu, of the OSU South Centers.

“The ultimate goal of this program is to utilize a multi-faceted approach, including classroom and hands-on training paired with industry mentoring, to improve the success rate of new and beginning aquaculture farmers,” she said.

“This will be accomplished through the establishment and delivery of an ABC in which participants gain the skills and knowledge required to successfully own and operate a fish farm.”

Details

During the year, participants will take part in 12, one-day training sessions that will include workshops on aquaculture, farm tours, homework and study assignments, and the opportunity to work on an operating fish farm.

Students will complete the program with a business plan for their operation, Tiu said. And participants will also have access to trainers and mentors in the field.

Applications for the program are available for download at http://go.osu.edu/abc and are due by Nov. 15. For more information on the program, contact Estefania James at 740-289-2071 or 800-297-2072, ext. 127, or email james.742@osu.edu.

Applicants will be notified of selection by Dec. 15, and the first day of ABC will be Jan. 12, at OSU South Centers at Piketon.